Method and apparatus for treating liquid mixtures



March 27, 1951, I. w. LQVELADY 2,546,269

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING LIQUID MIXTURES Filed Oct. 18, 1946 2Sheets-Sheet 1 III II lnventor 1:00; W Z ave/any Gttornegs.

March 27, 1951 1. w. LOVELADY 2,546,269

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING LIQUID MIXTURES Filed Oct. 18, 1946 2Sheets-Sheet 2 24 Ehwentor Isaac W Love/my 5%. YM

attornegs Patented Mar. 27, 1951 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TREATINGLIQUID MIXTURES Isaac W. Lovelady, Oklahoma City, Okla., as-

signor to Black Sivalls & Bryson, Inc., Kansas City, Mo., a corporationof Delaware Application October 18, 1946, Serial No. 704,177

18 Claims.

This invention relates to a method and apparatus lor treating liquidmixtures such as the flow from a petroleum producing well andparticularly mixtures that contain proportions of the components of themixtures as an emulsion.

' The principal object of the present invention is to provide a highcapacity method and apparatus for economically and efiiciently treatingmixtures, especially oil, gas and water mixtures containing emulsionsand to effect separation of the components in a shorter processing time.

In carrying out this object of the invention, the invention contemplatesremoval of the free gas and water components from the emulsion componentprior to heat treatment of the emulsion and to utilize the heatcontained in the separated oil for preheating the emulsion while thecold or unheated free water and gas components are utilized in efiectingcondensation of gas evolved during the heat treatment of the emulsion.

.'It is also a prime object of the invention to provide a method andapparatus for processing such-mixtures which provides for removal of thefree water in a manner to conserve any oil or oil emulsion that may beentrained therewith and yet minimize the load on the heater.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a relatively simple andinexpensive apparatus; to provide for substantially continuous andstraightaway flow of the emulsion through the heat treating and settlingzones; and to provide an apparatus adapted for use of filters whenfiltors are required to promote separation of the oil and watercomponents of a petroleum mixture when the density of the oil approachesthe density of the water.

Further objects of the invention are to provide a structure and methodwhich prevents release of gas through the separated oil and permits theoil to remain in a quiescent state; to provide a plurality of chambersin a treating vessel wherein water may be separated from the oil and/oroil emulsion; to provide a simplified piping hookup of the treatingapparatus; and to provide an apparatus constructed to facilitateinspection and cleaning of the various treating compartments.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention hereinafterpointed out, I have provided improved structure, the preferred form ofwhich is illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. is a vertical section through a separating and treating apparatusconstructed in accorda with and for practicing the method of the presentinventio Fig. 2 is a horizontal section taken through the free water,gas and emulsion separating compartment of the apparatus on the line 2-2of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section through the settling compartment of theapparatus on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section through the heating compartment of theapparatus taken on the line 44 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a vertical section through the apparatus taken at right angleswith respect to the section illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a vertical section through a modified form of apparatusembodying the features of the present invention.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

l designates a liquid treating apparatus for separating a mixture ofliquids and includes a substantially elongated vessel or tank 2 having acylindrical side wall 3 closed at the upper and lower ends by heads 4and 5. The vessel is supported in vertical position on a base ring 6welded or otherwise attached to the bottom head 5 and secured to ananchoring plate I that is adapted to be attached to any suitablefoundation (not shown). Extending transversely within the vessel andspaced inwardly from the respective'heads 4 and 5 are partitions 8 and 9dividing the vessel into a free water, gas and emulsion separatingcompartment ID at the top, a water wash and heat treating compartment Hat the bottom and an intermediate settling compartment [2, the partition8 forming the bottom of the separating compartment l0 and the top of thesettling compartment I2, while the partition 9 forms the bottom of thesettling compartment and the top of the heat treating and water washcompartment H.

A liquid mixture to be separated and treated is delivered into thecompartment [0 at a point above the level of liquid to be maintainedtherein, through a duct l3 that is connected with the inlet port M inthe wall of the tank. The fiow is preferably bafiiecl and caused totravel circum ferentially of the compartment by means of a guard I5 topromote separation of free water and free gas from the oil and oil andwater emulsion components of the flow. The free water contained in theflow being the heaviest liquid settles to the bottom of the compartmentand the oil and oil emulsion rises to the top of the water. The waterthus collects in a bottom layer It and rises to a level I! that ismaintained by a water discharge siphon l8 which includes an outer tube19 supported at its lower end on the partition 8 'water.

and which extends upwardly into a gas collecting space 25 at the top ofthe chamber. The tube I9 encloses the inlet end 2| of a water conductorpipe 22 that leads downwardly through the partitions 8 and 9 andterminates in a lateral outlet 23 located in the chamber II anddischarges below a heater 24 later described.

The oil and oil emulsion collects in a layer 25 upon the top of the freewater and flows from the compartment Ii! when the level reaches theinlet 26 of a discharge conductor pipe 21'that leads downwardly throughthe partition 8 and terminates in a lateral bend 25 that extends throughthe wall 3 and connects with a heat exchanger 3!! located exteriorly ofthe vessel 2. The inlet 2I of the free water discharge conductor 22 islocated so that the hydrostatic head of the layers of water and oilemulsion I6 and 25 cause movement of the water through a port 3| at thelower end of the tube I9 and discharge of the water when the water leveltends to rise above the desired level. The conductor pipe 22 conductsthe free water downwardly within the tank to the chamber II. the waterbeing relatively heavier and colder than the water contained in thechamher I I, quickly gravitates and passes through the inlet 32 of aduct 33. The inlet 32 of the conductor 33 may be covered by a filter 34to eliminate possibility of any oil being carried oil with the Thefilter 34 has an open top and the water flows downwardly through thefilter medium and then upwardlyinto the duct 33. The

duct 33 leads through the sidewall of the vessel and connects with awater discharge siphon 35.

The siphon 35 includes'a fixed pipe section 36 that extends upwardlyalongside the vessel. A telescoping section 3'! slides in the fixedsection 'and projects through a slip union 38 into a tubular member 39through a slip union 40. The tubular member 39 is connected at its upperend by a conductor M which connects with the upper portion of thecompartment I2 at'a point directly below the bottom of the partition 8whereby pressure acting upon the head of liquids in the compartments IIand I2 is equalized with the pressure in the tubular member 39 so. that'a predetermined water level as indicated at 42 may .be maintainedwithin the lower portion of the settling chamber I2. The discharge endof the telescoping section 31 may be positioned at a height related tothe hydrostatic level in the compartment I2 to maintain the desiredwater level 42/ The top liquid level in the compartment I2 is fixed byan overflow weir 43 of anoutlet box 44 that is attached to the innerside of the wall 3. The outlet box covers a port 45 which connects by apipe 45 with the heat exchanger 35. The partition 8 also carries apressure equalizing tube'48 having its lower end connected in a collar49 mounted in the partition and through which pressure within the gasspace 50 in the top 'of compartment I2 is equalized'with'the gas in "thespace 20:0f the compartment ID. The free gas separated in thecompartment I passes up.- wardly within the space 25 and over a spraydeflector 5I guarding the inlet 52 to a gas discharge pipe 53. Anotheroutlet for the free gas might be by way of the equalizer tube 48 intothe gas space 55 and then through a pipe 54 that'i's connected with aport in the side wall 3 located under the partition 3.

The'heat exchanger 30 may be of'a'ny suitable type'adapted toeffecttransfer of heat from hot 011. to the relatively cool. emulsion.discharged from the conductor pipe 21. The oil upon giving up its heatto the emulsion is discharged from the bottom of the heat exchangerthrough an outlet connection 55 while the preheated emulsion isdischarged through a conductor 56 leading through the wall 3 into acompartment II. The outlet end of the pipe 56 carries a'distributor pan5! having a substantially elongated horizontal outlet 58 located belowthe heater 24 whereby the oil discharged is caused to spread laterallyand riseupwardly under the heater and upwardly in contact with the sidesof the heater, and through the body of wash water 59 that is maintainedin the compartment II.

The heater may be of any suitable design but is shown in the drawing asincluding a transversely arranged tube 50 having the ends 5| and 62thereof carried in opposite diametric sides of the wall 3 as best shownin Fig. 5. The ends of the tube are closed by heads 63 and 64 attachedto flanges 85. The head 54 has an outlet connection 66 with the fiuepipe 61 leading upwardly alongside the wall of the vessel to terminateat sufficient height for maintaining dcsired draft through air inletopenings 68 that are provided in the head 63.' The head 53 sup.- ports aburner 69, preferably capable of using a portion of the free gasdischarged from the treater and which is supplied to the burner througha pipe I0.

Much of the emulsion will be broken upon movement thereof about therespective sides of the heater tube and the'rele'ased water willgravitate through the water 'w'ash'in substantially rapid movement sincethe lower portion of the chamber is maintained'a't a substantially lowertemperature incidental to" admission of the rela tively cool free water"that is being admitted thereto when the apparatus is in operation.

Freed oil, evolved gas, and any water remaining in emulsion or entrainedwith the oil are discharged from the'compartment I I through an openingII in the partition 9 and rise through a stand pipe or tube 12 thatextends upwardly within the settling chamber and terminates below thelevel of the layer of oil that is maintained therein. The upper end ofthe tube extends within an outer tube 13 that has its upper end spacedfrom the partition 8 to provide an outlet opening 74 for the evolvedgas. The tube 13 is suspendedly supported from' the bottom of thepartition 8 by suitable'brackets l5 and the tube is of substantiallylarger diameter than the tube 12 to provide an annular passageway'lfithere- 'between which opens into the lower portion or the settlingchamber at a point above the water level 42 maintained therein so thatthe liquids rising-fromtheheat treating compartment must travelupwardlythrough the tube'12'and then downwardly through the tube 13. The freedwater will collect in a body of water indicated at H which is dischargedthrough a duct 18 con-E. nected with an outlet opening I9 in the sidewall 3 of the tank and which extends downwardly ex teriorly of the tank:to connect with a lateral opening located in' the wall 3 at a lowerlevel for discharging the water from the settling compartment into theheating chamber for discharge along with the free water and wateraccumulatiing'inci'dental to breaking of any of the emulsion in thechamber I I and tube 12.

If the gravity of the oil be low and if considerable emulsion be preSent'it may be desir;= "abl'eto install a filter section 8| through which 7all of the oil and. the emulsion must-pass, but

the filter is effective in removing the water of the emulsion and thewater will remain at the bottom of the chamber for discharge through theoutlet 18.

The filter may comprise vertically spaced ringlike diaphragms 82 and 83encircling the lower end of the tube 13 and having support by clips 84and 84 on the inner side of the wall 3 and clips 85 and 86 on the tube13. The diaphragms are provided with perforations 81 and 88 for passingthe oil and they retain a body of filtering medium 89 therebetween. Thetube 1.2 is stabilized within the tube 13 by brackets 98 as shown inFig. 1.

, The tank may be provided with various accessories suchas a cleanoutopening 9| located in the wall 3 at a point above the partition 8 andwhich is closed exteriorly of the tank bya cover plate 92. A cleanoutopening may also be located in the wall of the tank in registry with thefilter and closed by a cover plate 93. The lower compartment II may alsohave an inspection fitting 84 (Fig. 1).

Water is discharged through the conductor 32 and pipe 18 under controlof hand operated valves 85 and 96. The final discharge for the watercomponent .of the flow from the siphon chamber 39 is a pipe 91 that isadapted to lead to a suitable point of water disposal.

The purified oil after passing through the heat exchanger is cooled andconducted to measuring tanks, pipe line or other storage vessels as inconventional practice. The bottom head 5 may carry a drain duct 98having an inlet 98 connected with the lowermost point in the head. Theduct 98 extends laterally and connects with a coupling I88 located inthe supporting band 5 and which in turn is adapted to be connected withan ofitake pipe I88. The compartment I8 also has a drain 98 for drainingthe compartment when desired. Thus, the heating compartment can bedrained without draining the separating compartment. Also, the heatingcompartment may be drained without draining the settling compartment byclosing the valve 95.

The form of the invention shown in Fig. 6 is substantially the same asthat illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5 inclusive, with the exception that theouter tube 13 abuts against the underface of the partition 8 and iswelded or otherwise attached thereto so that the gas evolved incidentalto breaking or the emulsion rises through a tube I84 that extendsupwardly from an opening I85 in the partition 8 through the layers ofwater and emulsion and terminates within the gas space, of thecompartment. The evolved gas thus mixes with the free gas in theseparating chamber I8 and all the gas passes down through the pipe 48and is discharged through the pipe 54., The separator is also preferablyprovided with aggas outlet 52 but it is used only when it is desirableto take heavy gas to a gasoline plant.

Since3=-the pipe I84 extends up into the top of the chamber I8 where thetemperature is that of the flowing components of the influent, the pipeserves as a condenser to return condensible vapors for maintaining thequality of the oil. The sides of the settling chamberabove the liquidalso act as a condensing surface. Therefore, even though the bottom ofthe top compartment I8 should become covered with scale and bottomsettlings to the extent that very little heat exchange is effectedtherethrough. the surface exposed in the settling compartment I2provides forsatisiactorycondensation. 1

In using the apparatus for example in treating the fluid from apetroleum producing well. the pipe I3 may be connected with the flowtubing in the well, the pipes 53 and 54 with a source of gas use, thepipe 91 with a source of water disposal, and the oil outlet 55 with asuitable oil receiver. The burner 69 is connected with a fuel source andthe apparatus is placed in operation by opening flow through the abovedescribed service pipes and lighting the burner 69. The fluid or flowfrom the well upon discharge through the inlet I4 is caused to swirlabout the inner circumference of the compartment by the deflector I5.The liquid components of the influent gravitate toward the bottom of thecompartment with the free water separating in a" layer I 8 supporteddirectly on the bottom 8. The oil and oil water emulsion being of lessdensity rise to the top of the free water and collect in a layer 25which floats upon the layer of free water I 6. The free gas component ofthe liquid infiuent rises in the compartment I8 and passes the spraybaflle 5! to discharge through the gas conductor pipe 53. The gas mayaso escape through the pressure equalizing pipe 48 into the gas space 58at the top of the compartment I2 for discharge through the pipe 54. Thefree gas and free water are thus separated from the oil and oil wateremulsion at substantially the temperature of the well fluid.Consequently, the gas and free water are relatively cold as compared tothe preheated oil and oil water emulsion as later described. Therefore,the layer of free water I6 cools the partition 8 and provides a coolarea on the underside to be contacted by the gas rising in the gas space58 of the compartment 12.

The free water passes through the opening 3| into the tube I 9 and risestherein to overflow into the open upper end 2I of the conductor pipe 22where it is lead downwardly into the compartment II which, if it has notalready been filled with water, fills the space in the compartment IIand rises through the tube or fiume 'I2and through bypass 18 until abody of water 11 is established in the bottom of the compartment I2having a level below the fiter 8|, which level is indicated at 82 and iscontrolled by positioning the outlet of the telescoping section 31 ofthe water discharge siphon 35 within the member 39.

The products of combustion resulting from the burning fuel in the heater24 heats the walls of the heater tube 58 to raise the temperature of theliquid which immediately surrounds the heater to a temperaturesuflicient to break the emulsion.

The oil and oil-water emulsion collecting in the layer 25 overflows intothe inlet 26 of the conductor 21 and passes through the outside heatexchanger 38 wherein the liquids are preheated by passing them in heatexchange relation with hot treated oil discharged from the apparatus aslater described. The preheated oil and oil-water emulsion passes fromthe preheater 38 through the pipe 58 into the space under thedistributor pan 5'! and is discharged in sheet-like formationsubstantially under the heater tube 68 and throughout most of its lengthfor travel upwardly through the inner tube or fiume I2 where all the gaswhich has been liberated by heat separates and passes out through theports 14 at the upper end of the outer fiume or tube 13 to collect inthe gas space 58. The liberated gas thus moves in sweeping contact withthe relatively cold bottom surface of the partition 8 and the exposedwall surface of the compartment I2 so that the gas condenses andcondensate drops into the body of oil in the settling compartment l2.The gasfree emulsion and any entrained oil continues flow downwardlythrough the passageway 16 between the respective flumes and isdischarged into the settling compartment in the vicinity of the oilwater' interface designated 42.

The oil component of the emulsion rises upwardly through the filter 8!if a filter is used and collects in the compartment to the level of theweir 43. The water component of the emulsion drops out below the filterand collects in the layer of water 11. Excess water as itaccumulates-flows through .the outlet 19 and conductor 18 and throughthe port 80 into the compartment H. Water dropping out from the emulsionin the compartment H drops into the cool water at the bottom of thecompartment so that it quickly attains the temperature of the free waterand is rapidly discharged therewith through the filters 34 andconductor33 which leads the water to the water siphon for disposal through thepipe 91.

The presence of free water in the bottom of the compartment H does notappreciably increase the amount of the heat which the firebox mustdeliver. -With this arrangement it is obvious that the gas is liberatedwithin the fiumes 12 and I3 and passes off without disturbing thesettling action of the liquids within the compartment [2. It is alsoobvious that the hot gases discharged from the flume are readily cooledand condensed with the condensed fractions dropping into the settlingsection so as to maintain gravity and promote stabilization of the oilproduct.

Should any vapors not condense within the gas space 56, they risethrough the pressure equalizing tube 43 and mix with the cold gas in thegas space 20 at the top of the compartment l; This additional coolingcauses further condensationand conservation of the vapors as thecondensate collects in the oil and emulsion layer for-return to thetreating section by way of the preheater. If desired, 'a filter ,may beused in thecompartment ID in the same manner as the filter- 8|illustrated and described in the compartment i2. It is pointed out thatwith the present apparatus the necessity of baffles and tortuouspassageways which have been previously required, are eliminated.Therefore, the settling space in thecompartment i2 is of relativelylarger capacity: which means more complete oil and water separationand-an increase in settling volume allows corresponding increase intreating capac- Attention isdirected to the fact that any oil oremulsion entrained with the cold free water passes therewith intothe'heating compartment l! and will rise around the heater along withthe oil and emulsion. This arrangement makes negligible loss of oilthrough the water drawofi pipe 91. It is obvious that since the entirediameter of the-compartment It is used for gas separation the apparatushas a substantially large gas handling capacity which promotes furtherefficiency and since thefirst separation of free gas is made cold, thereis less loss of gravity building vapors through the gas discharge pipe53.

From the foregoing it is obvious that I have provided a method andapparatus for treating petroleum liquids containing free water, gas, oiland oil emulsions which is of high capacity and is adapted foreconomical and efiicient-treatment o fsuch mixtures in a shorterprocessing time.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: y

1. The method of treating petroleum mixtures containing free water andgas together with an oil-water emulsion including, separating the freegas and free water from the oil-water emulsion, heating said emulsionafter separation of the free gas and water to free the water and oilcomponents of said emulsion, settling the water component from the oilcomponent; keeping the vapors evolved in the heating of said emulsionout of contact with settled water and oil components while bringing saidvapors into heat exchange relation with the relatively cool free waterfor condensinglsaid vapors, and returning the condensate to theseparated oil component.

2; The method of treating petroleum mixtures containing free water andgas together with an oil-water emulsion including, separating the freegas and free water from the oil-water emulsion,

passing said emulsion through a heating zone to free the water and oilcomponents of said emulsion, settling said water and oil components in asettling zone separate from the heating zone, keeping vapors evolved inthe heating of said emulsion out of contact with the oil and water inthe settling zone'while bringing said. vapor into heat exchange relationwith the relatively cool free water for condensing said vapors,returning the condensate to the separated oil component, conducting thefree water to the bottom portion of said heating zone separately of theoil-water emulsion, removing surplus water from the heating zone andseparately removing the oil and water from the settling zone.

3. The method of treating petroleum mixtures containing freewaterandgas'together with an oil-water'emulsion including, separating thefree gas and water from the oil-water emulsion, conducting'the oil=wateremulsion through a wash liquid in the presence of heat sufiicient tobreak the emulsion, settling'the hot separated oil and water componentsof the emulsion in a settling zone, removing the hot settled oil fromthe settling zone in heat exchange relation with the oil-water emusionduring conduction of the emulsion from the place of free gas and waterseparation to the wash liquid to preheat the oil'- water emulsion, andconducting the free water from the place of separation to said Washliquid separately of the oil-water emulsion, and re-' moving surpluswater from the wash liquidi 4. The method of treating petroleum mixturescontaining free water and gas together with an oil wateriemusionincluding separaing the free water and gas from theoil-water emulsionina separating zone, maintaining layers-10f separated oil-water emulsionand free water in the sepa; rating zone, removing the oil-water emulsionlayer; removing free water from the free water layer, passing theremoved oil-water emulsion through a wash solution while heating saidoilwater emulsion toa'temper'ature sufiicient to break the emulsion.conducting the'liquid components rthe emulsion to a settling zone forsettling out of the water component of the emulsion, freeing vaporsevolved incidental to heat ing of the emulsion from the liquidcomponents before the liquid components reach the settling zone,conducting said vapors into heat exchange contact with said layer ofwater in the separating zone to effect condensation of said vapors intothe settling zone for enriching the oil component of theemulsiongpassingt'he oil lcompor' nent of the emulsion from the settlingzone into heat exchange relation with the oil-water emulsion conductedfrom the separating zone for preheating the oil and water emulsion, andremoving the free gas from the separating zone.

The method of treating petroleum mixtures containing free water and gastogether with an oil-water emulsion including separating the free waterand gas from the oil-water emusion in a separating zone withoutinitially heating the mixture, maintaining layers of separated water andoil-water emulsion in the separating zone, removing the oil wateremulsion from said emulsion layer, passing the removed oil-wateremulsion through a wash solution while heating said emulsion to atemperature sufiicient to break the emulsion, conducting the liquidcomponents ofthe emulsion to a settling zone for settling out of thewater component of the emulsion,-

passing any vapors evolved incidental to heating of the emulsionn intoheat exchange contact with said layer of water in the separating zonewithout passing the vapor through the settling liquid to cheatcondensation of said vapors and dropping said condensate into thesettling zone for enriching the oil component of the emulsion, passingthe oil component of the emulsion from the settling zone intoheatexchange relation with the oil-water emulsion conducted from theseparating zone for preheating the oil and water emulsion, and removingfree water and gas from the separating zone.=

6, The method of treating petroleum mixtures containing free water andgas together with an oil-water emulsion including separating the freewater andgas from the oil emulsion in a separating zone, maintaininglayers of separated water and emulsion in the separating zone, removingthe oil-water emulsion from said emulsion layer, passing the removedoil-water emulsion through a heating zone to heat said emulsion to atemperature sufiicient to break the emulsion, conducting the liquidcomponents of the emulsion to a settling zone for settling out of thewater component of the emulsion, removing vapors liberated in theheatingof the emulsion from said liquid components before saidcomponents are delivered to the settling zone, passing vaporsvolvedincidental to heating of the emulsion into heat exchange contact withsaid layer of free water in the separating zone to effect condensationof said vapors into the settling zone for enriching the oil component,passing the oil component of the emulsion from the settling zone intoheat exchange relation with the oilwater emulsion conducted from theseparating zone for preheating the oil-water emulsion, conducting theseparated free water from said layer in the separating zone into thelower portion of the heating zone for freeing any entrained oil andoil-water emulsion into said heating zone, removing water from theliquid wash zone, and removing the free gas from the separating zone.

7. The method of treating petroleum mixtures containing. free water andgas together with an oil-water emulsion including separating the freewater and gas from the oil-water emulsion in a separating zone,maintaining layers of separated water and emulsion in the separatingzone, removing' the oil-water emulsion from said emul sion layer,passing the removed oil-water emul sion through a heating zone to heatsaid emulsion to a temperature suflicient to break the emulsion,conducting the liquid components of the emulsion to a settling zone forsettling out ofthe water component of the emulsion, removing vaporsliberated in the heating of the emulsion from said liquid componentsbefore said components are delivered to the settling zone,- p'assingvapors evolved incidental to heating ot the emulsion into heat exchangecontact with said layer of free water in the separating zone to effectcondensation of said vapors into the settling zone for enriching the oilcomponent, passing the oil component of the emulsion fromthe settlingzone into heat exchange relation with the oil-water emulsion conductedfrom the separating zone for preheating the oil-water emulsion,conducting the separated free water from said layer in the separatingzone into the lower portion of the heating zone for freeing anyentrained oil and oil-water emulsion into said liquid wash zone.removing water from the heating zone, passing any uncondensed vaporsfromthe settling zone into contact with the free gas in said separatingzone, and removing the free gas from the separating zone.

8. An apparatus of the character describedior treating a petroleummixture containing free water and gas together with an oil-wateremulsion including a vessel, an upper partition: within the vessel andforming a bottom of anupper gas separating compartment and the top of asettling compartment in said vessel, a lower partition in the vesselforming the bottom of the settling compartment and top of a heatingcompartment within the bottom of said vessel; means for passing themixture into the separat ing compartment for separation of the freewater and emulsion from the gas and settlement 0; of the free water andemulsion in separate lay for heating the emulsionr an up flume havingarr inlet through said lower partition for conducting heated emulsionand oil and water compo nents of the emulsion from said heating comepartment upwardly for overflow of said flume; a down flume having avapor outlet at its upper end and extending downwardly away from theupper partition and over the up flume for con ducting vapors evolved insaid fiumes upwardly to said outlet and the oil and water components ofthe emulsion downwardly into the settlingcompartment, a conduit forconducting free water from the free water layer, a conduit fordischarging Water from said heating compart-- ment, meansfor removinggas from the separat ing compartment, and means for passing water fromsaid settling compartment.

9. An apparatus of the character described for treating a petroleummixture containing free water and gas together with an oil wateremulsion including avessel, an upper partition with in the vessel andforming a bottom of an upper gas separating compartment and the top of asettling compartment in said vessel, a lower par tition in the vesselforming the bottom of the settling compartment and top of a heatingcoinpartment within the bottom of said vessel; means for passing themixture into the separating compartment for separation of the free waterand emulsion from the gas and settlement of the free water and emulsionin separate layers supported on the partition forming the bot tom ofsaid separating compartment, a heat ex-i changer, a duct connecting theseparating com-' partment with the heat exchanger for passing emulsionfrom the emulsion layer through said heat exchanger, a duct connectingthe heat exchanger with said heating compartment for discharging theemulsion into the heating compartment, a heater in said heatingcompartment for heating the emulsion, an up fiume connected with saidlower partition for conducting heated emulsion from said heatingcompartment up wardly for overflow of said fiume, a down fiume having avapor outlet directly under the upper partition and extending downwardlyover the up fiume for conducting vapors evolved in said fiumes upwardlyinto heat exchange contact with said partition to effect condensation ofsaid vapors into the oil component of the emulsion. means for removinghot oil from the settling compartment through the heat exchanger, aconduit for connecting free water from the free water layer in saidseparating compartment, a conductor for discharging water from saidheating compartment, means for removing gas from the separatingcompartment, and means for passing water from said settling compartment.

10. An apparatus of the character described for treating a petroleummixture containing free water and gas together with an oil-wateremulsion including a vessel, an upper partition within the vesselforming a bottom of an upper gas separating compartment and the top of asettling compartment in said vessel, a lower partition in the vesselforming the bottom of the settling compartment and top of a heatingcompartment within the bottom of said vessel, means for passing thepetroleum mixture into the separating compartment for separation of thefree water and emulsion in separate layers supported on the upperpartition, a heat exchanger, a duct connecting the separatingcompartment with the heat exchanger for passing emulsion from theemulsion layer through said heat exchanger, a duct connecting the heatexchanger with said heating compartment for discharging the emulsioninto the heating compartment, a heater in said heating compartment forheating the emulsion, an up fiume having an inlet through the lowerpartition for conducting heated emulsion from said heating compartmentupwardly for overflow into the settling compartment, a down fiumeextending downwardly over the up flume for conducting vapors evolved insaid fiumes upwardly and having a vapor outlet at the upper end fordischarging said vapors, a conduit for conducting free water from thefree water layer in said separating compartment for discharge into theheating compartment at a point below said heater, a conductor fordischarging water from said heating compartment, a conductor fordischarging water from said settling compartment into the'heatingcompartment, and a conductor for passing oil in the settling compartmentthrough said heat exchanger for preheating said emulsion.

11. An apparatus of the character described for treating a liquidpertoleum mixture containing free water and gas together with anoil-water emulsion including a vessel, an upper partition within thevessel and forming a bottom of an upper gas separating compartment andthe top of a settling compartment in said vessel, a lower partition inthe vessel forming the bottom of the settling compartment and top of aheating compartment within the bottom of said vessel;

means for passing the mixture into the separating compartment forseparation of the free water" and emulsion in separate layers to besupported on the upper partition, a duct means connecting the separatingcompartment with the heating? compartment, a heater in said heatingcompart-i ment for heating the emulsion, an up flume having an inletthrough said lower partition for conducting heated emulsion from saidheating" compartment upwardly for overflow into the settlingcompartment, a down fiume having a vapor outlet directly under the upperpartition and extending downwardly over the up fiume for conductingvapors evolved in said fiumes upwardly into heat exchange contact withsaidpartition to effect condensation of said vapors into the oilcomponent of the emulsion, a conduit for conducting free water from thefree water layer in said separating compartment for discharge into theheating compartment, a conductor for discharging water from said heatingcompartment;

a conductor for discharging water from the settling compartment into theheating compart-'" means for passing the liquid petroleum mixture intothe separating compartment for separation of the free water and emulsionin layerssupported on the upper partition, a heat exchanger, a ductconnecting the separating compartment with the heat exchanger forpassing emulsion from the emulsion layer through said heat exchanger, aduct connecting the heat exchanger with said heating compartment fordischarging the emulsion into the heating compartment, a heater in saidheating compartment for heating the emulsion, an up fiume having inletfrom the heating compartment for conducting heated emulsion from saidheating compartment upwardly for overflow into the settling compartment,a down fiume suspended from the upper partition and extending overthe'up fiume for conducting vapors evolved in said flumes upwardly, avent connecting the down flume with gas space in the separatingcompartment, means for conducting free water from the free water layerin said eparating compartment, means for discharging gas from the gasspace, a conductor for discharging water from the settling compartment,and a conductor for passing oil from the settling compartment.

13. An apparatus of the character described;

for treating a liquid petroleum mixture containing free water and gastogether with an oil-water emulsion including a vessel, an upperpartition within the vessel and forming a bottom of an upper gasseparating compartment and the top of a settling compartment in saidvessel, a lower partition in the vessel forming the bottom of 1 thesettling compartment and top of a heating compartment within the bottomof said vessel,; means for passing the liquid petroleum into theseparating compartment for separation of the free water and emulsion inlayers supported on the upper partition, a heat exchanger, a duct 13connecting the separating compartment with the heat exchanger forpassing emulsion from the emulsion layer through said heat exchanger, aduct connecting the heat exchanger with said heating compartment fordischarging the emulsion into the heating compartment, a heater in saidheating compartment for heating the emulsion, an up flume connected withsaid lower partition for conducting heated emulsion from said heatingcompartment upwardly for overflow into the settling compartment, a downfiume having a vapor outlet directly under the upper partition andextending downwardly over the up ilume for conducting vapors evolved insaid flumes upwardly into heat exchange contact with said partition toeifectcpndensation of said vapors into the oil component of theemulsion, a conduit for conducting free water from the free water layersaid separating compartment for discharge into the heating compartmentat a point below said heater, a conductor for discharging water fromsaid heating compartment, a conductor for discharging water from thesettling compartment into the heating compartment, a conductor forpassing oil in the settling compartment through said heat exchanger forpreheating said emulsion, means for maintaining predetermined level ofoil in the settling compartment and a gas space below said upperpartition, a gas equalizer tube connecting said gas space with a gasspace in the separating compartment, and means for removing gas from theseparating compartment.

14. An apparatus of the character described for treating a liquidpetroleum mixture containing free water and gas together with an oilwater emulsion including a vessel, an upper partition within the vesseland forming a bottom of an upper gas separating compartment and the topof a settling compartment in said vessel, a lower partition in thevessel forming the bottom of the settling compartment and top of aheating compartment Within the bottom of said vessel, means for passingthe liquid petroleum mixture into the separating compartment forseparation of the free water and emulsion in separate layers supportedon the partition forming the bottom of said separating compartment, ductmeans connecting the separating compartment with said heatingcompartment for discharging the emulsion into the heating compartment, aheater in said heating compartment for heating the emulsion, means forconducting heated emulsion from said heating compartment into thesettling compartment, a conduit for conducting free water from the freewater layer in said separating compartment downwardly through thesettling compartment for discharge into the heating compartment at apoint below said heater, a conductor for discharging water from saidheating com partment, a conductor for discharging water from thesettling compartment into the heating compartment, a conductor forpassing oil from the settling compartment, and a gas outlet connectionfor the separating compartment.

15. An apparatus of the character described for treating a petroleummixture containing free water and gas together with an oil-wateremulsion including a vessel, an upper partition within the vesselforming a bottom of an upper gas separating compartment and the top of asettling compartment in said vessel, a lower partition in the vesselforming the bottom of the settling compartment and top of a heatingcompartment within the bottom of said vessel, means for passing thepetroleum mixture into the separating compartment for separation of thefree. water and emulsion in separate layers supported on the upperpartition, a heat exchanger, a duct connecting the separatingcompartment with the heat exchanger for passing emulsion from theemulsion layer through said heat exchanger, a duct connecting the heatexchanger with said heating compartment for discharging the emulsioninto the heating compartment, a heater in said heating compartment forheating the emulsion, an up flume having an inlet through the lowerpartition for conducting heated emulsion from said heating compartmentupwardly for overflow into the settling compartment, a down fiumeextending downwardly over the up fiume for conducting vapors evolved insaid fiumes upwardly, and having a vapor outlet at the upper end fordischarging said vapors into heat exchange contact with said partitionto effect com densation of said vapors into the oil component of theemulsion, a conduit for conducting free water from the free water layerin said separating compartment for discharge into the heatingcompartment at a point below said heater, a conductor for dischargingWater from said heating compartment, a conductor for discharging waterfrom said settling compartment into the heating compartment, and meanscooperating with the oil conductor for maintaining a fixed level of oilin spaced relation below the upper partition for exposing the upper wallportion of the settling compartment to provide additional condensingsurface for said vapors, and a conductor for passing oil in the settlingcompartment through said heat exchanger for preheating said emulsion.

16. An apparatus of the character described for treating a petroleummixture containing free Water and gas together with an oil-wateremulsionv including a vessel, an upper partition within the vesselforming a bottom of an upper gas separating compartment and the top of asettling compartment in said vessel, a lower partition in the vessedforming the bottom of the settling compartment and top of a heatingcompartment within the bottom of said vessel, means for passing thepetroleum mixture into the separating compartment for separation of thefree Water and emulsion in separate layers supported on the upperpartition, a heat exchanger, a duct connecting the separatingcompartment with the heat exchanger for passing emulsion from theemulsion layer through said heat exchanger, a duct connecting the heatexchanger with said heating compartment for discharging the emulsioninto the heating compartment, a heater in said heating compartment forheating the emulsion, an up fiume having an inlet through the lowerpartition for conducting heated emulsion from said heating compartmentupwardly for overflow into the settling compartment, a down flumeextending downwardly over the up flume for conducting vapors evolved insaid fiumes upwardly, and having a vapor outlet at the upper end fordischarging said vapors into heat exchange contact with said partitionto efiect condensation of said vapors into the oil component of theemulsion, a conduit for conducting free water from the free water layerin said separating compartment for discharge into the heatingcompartment at a point below said heater, a conductor for dischargingwater from said heating compartment, a conductor for discharging waterfrom said settling compartment into the heating compartment, a valve insaid last named conductor for shutting off flow from the settlingcompartment to the heating compartment, means cooperating with the oilconductor for maintaining a fixed level of oil in spaced relation belowthe upper partition for exposing the upper wall portion of the settlingcompartment to provide additional condensing surface for said vapors,and a conductor for passing oil in the settling compartment through saidheat exchanger for preheating said emulsion.

17. An apparatus of the character described for treating a petroleummixture containing free water and gas together with an oil-wateremulsion including a vessel, an upper partition within the vesselforming a bottom of the separating compartment and the top of a settlingcompartment in said vessel, a lower partition in the vessel forming thebottom of the settling compartment and top of a heating compartmentwithin the bottom of said vessel, means for passing the petroleummixture into the separating compartment for separation of the free waterand emulsion in separate layers supported on the upper partition, ductmeans connecting the separating compartment with said heatingcompartment for discharging emulsion from the emulsion layer into theheating compartment, a heater in said heating compartment for heatingthe emulsion, an up fiume having an inlet through the lower partitionfor conducting heated emulsion from said heating compartment upwardlyfor overflow into the settling compartment, a down flume extendingdownwardly over the up flume for conducting vapors evolved in saidflumes upwardly,

a duct connected with the upper end of the up fiume and extending intothe separating compartment and terminating in a free gas separatingspace above said layers, a conduit for conducting free water from thefree water layer in said separating compartment for discharge into theheating compartment at a point below said heater, a conductor fordischarging water from said heating compartment, a conductor fordischarging water from the settling compartment, a conductor having aninlet spaced below the upper partition to provide an outlet for the oiland to maintain an oil level for leaving a gas space below the upperpartition, a duct connecting the gas separating space in the separatingcompartment with the gas space in the settling compartment forconducting separated gas and vapors from said duct into the gas space ofthe settling compartment,

and means for discharging the gas and vapors from the gas space in thesettling compartment. 18. The method of treating petroleum mixturescontaining free water and gas together with an oil-water emulsionincluding, separating the free gas and water from the oil-wateremulsion, conducting the oil-water emulsion through a heating zone tobreak the emulsion, conducting the hot separated oil and watercomponents of the emulsion from the heating zone through a gasseparating stage to a settling zone to separate evolved gas, saidsettling zone being separate from the heating zone, separating oil andwater in the settling zone without interference by the evolved gas, andremoving the hot settled oil from the settling zone in heat exchangerelation with the oil-wateremulsion after separation of the free waterand gas and during conduction of the emulsion to the heating zone topreheat theoilwater emulsion.

ISAAC W. LOVELADY. 1

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,181,687 Walker Nov. 28, 1939;2,256,695 Walker Sept. 25,1941- 2,297,297 Walker Sept. 29, 19422,319,962 Walker May 25, 1943 2,384,222 Walker Sept. 5, 1945

1. THE METHOD OF TREATING PETROLEUM MIXTURES CONTAINING FREE WATER ANDGAS TOGETHER WITH AN OIL-WATER EMULSION INCLUDING, SEPARATING THE FREEGAS AND FREE WATER FROM THE OIL-WATER EMULSION, HEATING SAID EMULSIONAFTER SEPARATION OF THE FREE GAS AND WATER TO FREE THE WATER AND OILCOMPONENTS OF SAID EMULSION, SETTING THE WATER COMPONENT FROM THE OILCOMPONENT, KEEPING THE VAPORS EVOLVED IN THE HEATING OF SAID EMULSIONOUT OF CONTACT WITH SETTLED WATER AND OIL COMPONENTS WHILE BRINGING SAIDVAPORS INTO HEAT EXCHANGE RELATION WITH THE RELATIVELY COOL FREE WATERFOR CONDENSEING SAID VAPORS, AND RETURNING THE CONDENSATE TO THESEPARATED OIL COMPONENT.